DSC_8657 A comparison of the rock shells. Dark rock snail (Haustrum haustorium) top left, Oyster borer (H. scobina) lower left, White whelk (H. lacunosum) top right, and White rock snail (Dicanthais orbita) lower right.
DSC_8653 Dark rock snail, or kaeo (Haustrum haustorium) underside, showing aperture and operculum. A predator of top shells, turban snails, small mussels and oysters. It's behaviour of leaping on mobile prey (like top shells), is spectacular. Found on rocky reefs in sheltered to moderately exposed localities. Kaiteriteri *
DSC_8658 Dark rock snail, or kaeo (Haustrum haustorium) a predator of top shells, turban snails, small mussels and oysters. It's behaviour of leaping on mobile prey (like top shells), is spectacular. Found on rocky reefs in sheltered to moderately exposed localities. Kaiteriteri *
